The main ways to deposit money into your account

You can put money into your bank account through a teller at a branch, an ATM, a mobile app, a wire transfer, or by having your employer or another payer send it directly. The method you choose depends on where the money is coming from, how fast you need it there, and what your bank offers. Most people use a combination of these methods depending on the situation.

Each method has different timing and requirements. A cash deposit at a teller or ATM can show up immediately or within one business day. A transfer from another bank account typically takes one to three business days. Direct deposit from an employer or government agency takes one to two business days after the payer processes it. Wire transfers are fastest—usually same-day or next-day—but cost money and require specific information from you.

Key Takeaways

  • Cash deposits at a branch teller or ATM show up in your account the same day or next business day, depending on when you deposit.
  • Transfers from another bank account take one to three business days and require the sending bank's routing number and your account number.
  • Direct deposit from an employer or government benefit requires you to give the payer your bank's routing number and your account number once, then it repeats automatically.
  • Wire transfers arrive the same day or next day but charge a fee (usually $15 to $30) and require you to provide the sender with specific details about your bank and account.
  • Mobile app deposits let you photograph a check and deposit it without visiting a branch, though the funds may take two to three business days to clear.

Depositing cash at a branch or ATM

Walk into your bank branch during business hours with the cash you want to deposit. Tell the teller you want to make a deposit to your account, and hand them the cash. They will count it, give you a receipt, and the money will be in your account by the end of that business day or the next morning. If you have a lot of cash, the bank may ask you to fill out a form—this is normal and required by federal law for deposits over $10,000.

If you use an ATM outside business hours, insert your debit card, select "Deposit," and follow the prompts. Most ATMs accept cash and checks. The ATM will tell you whether the deposit will post immediately or the next business day. Some banks post ATM deposits the same day if you deposit before a certain time (often 9 p.m. or midnight), and others wait until the next day. Check your bank's website or app to see what time cutoff applies to your branch.

ATMs at your own bank are free. Using an ATM at a different bank may charge you a fee of $1 to $3, depending on the ATM operator and your bank's agreement with them.

Transferring money from another bank account

To move money from a checking or savings account at a different bank, you need your current bank's routing number and your account number. You can find both on the bottom left of any check you write, or by logging into your online banking and looking at your account details. Some banks also print this information on statements or in the app.

Log into the other bank's website or app, go to "Transfer Money" or "Send Money," and select the option to transfer to an external account. Enter your bank's routing number and your account number, give the transfer a name (like "My Savings Account"), and enter the amount. The sending bank will usually ask you to confirm the account by making two small test deposits (typically under $1 each) to your account, then you enter those amounts back into their system to verify. This takes one to two business days.

Once the account is verified, future transfers take one to three business days. The exact timing depends on both banks' processing schedules. Transfers initiated before 5 p.m. on a weekday usually process that day, but the receiving bank may not show the funds until the next business day.

Setting up direct deposit from an employer or benefit program

Direct deposit is the fastest and most reliable way to receive regular paychecks or government benefits. Ask your employer's payroll department or your benefits program for a direct deposit form. You will need to provide your bank's routing number, your account number, and the account type (checking or savings). Some employers and programs let you submit this information online through their employee or beneficiary portal instead of a paper form.

Once the payer has your information, direct deposit usually starts within one or two pay cycles. The money will arrive on payday or the benefit payment date, typically one to two business days before you would receive a paper check. Direct deposit is free and does not require you to do anything after the initial setup—the money comes automatically each pay period.

If you change banks, you need to update your direct deposit information with your employer or benefits program. Do not assume the old account will stop receiving deposits; contact your payer to make sure the new account is set up and the old one is removed.

Sending money by wire transfer

A wire transfer moves money from your bank account to another bank account on the same day or the next business day. Go to your bank's website, app, or a branch and select "Send a Wire Transfer." You will need the recipient's full name, their bank's routing number, their account number, and the amount. Some banks also ask for the recipient's address or phone number.

Wire transfers cost money—typically $15 to $30 depending on your bank and whether the transfer is domestic (within the United States) or international. The fee is usually deducted from your account along with the transfer amount. If you initiate a wire transfer before your bank's cutoff time (often 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. on a business day), it will usually arrive the same day. Transfers after the cutoff or on weekends process the next business day.

Wire transfers are permanent once sent. If you send money to the wrong account, you cannot reverse it through your bank. Double-check the account number and routing number before confirming the transfer.

Depositing checks using your mobile app

Most banks let you deposit a check by taking a photo of the front and back with your phone. Open your bank's mobile app, select "Deposit a Check" or "Mobile Deposit," and photograph both sides of the check. The app will read the check number, amount, and routing information automatically. Review the details, enter the amount if needed, and confirm the deposit.

The check image is sent to your bank, and the funds usually appear in your account within two to three business days. Some banks offer next-day availability for mobile check deposits if you deposit before a certain time. After you deposit a check through the app, write "Deposited via mobile app" on the back of the physical check and keep it for your records for at least 30 days. Do not deposit the same check twice—once through the app and once at an ATM or teller.

Mobile check deposits are free and work 24 hours a day, even on weekends and holidays. The main limitation is that most banks cap the amount you can deposit per day (often $2,000 to $5,000) and per month (often $5,000 to $25,000). Check your bank's app or website for your specific limits.

What happens if a deposit does not show up

If you deposited cash or a check and the money has not appeared after the time your bank promised, contact your bank's customer service. Have your receipt ready. The bank will look up the deposit in their system and tell you whether it was processed. If it was processed, the money should appear within one business day. If the bank cannot find the deposit, you may need to file a claim, and the bank will investigate.

For transfers from another bank, check the sending bank's website to confirm the transfer was actually sent. If it was sent but has not arrived after three business days, contact your bank's customer service with the transfer confirmation number. Your bank can contact the sending bank to track it down.

For direct deposit, if a paycheck or benefit payment does not arrive on the expected date, contact your employer's payroll department or your benefits program first—they may not have processed the payment yet. If they confirm the payment was sent, then contact your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit cash at any ATM, or only at my bank's ATMs?

You can deposit cash at ATMs owned by your bank for free. ATMs owned by other banks may accept your deposit but will likely charge you a fee of $1 to $3. Some ATMs do not accept cash deposits at all—the screen will tell you if the machine accepts deposits before you insert your card.

How long does it take for a check to clear after I deposit it?

A check usually clears within two to three business days after you deposit it. Your bank may make the funds available to you before the check fully clears, but if the check bounces, the bank can take the money back from your account. Federal law requires banks to make at least the first $225 of a check deposit available by the next business day.

What is a routing number and where do I find it?

A routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. You can find it on the bottom left of any check, in your online banking portal, on your bank's website, or by calling customer service. Do not confuse it with your account number, which is unique to your account.

Can I deposit money into someone else's account?

Yes, you can deposit cash at a branch or ATM into someone else's account if you have their account number and your bank allows it. For transfers or direct deposit, the payer's bank will only accept deposits into the account number provided—you cannot redirect someone else's paycheck to your own account without their permission and setup.

Is there a limit to how much cash I can deposit?

You can deposit any amount of cash. However, banks are required to report cash deposits over $10,000 to the federal government on a Currency Transaction Report. This is normal and legal—it does not mean you did anything wrong. If you deposit large amounts of cash regularly in smaller amounts to avoid reporting, that is called structuring and is illegal.